These days, having access to health insurance is more important than ever – especially for those 65 and older, whom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deemed especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Whether you are about to turn 65, recently turned 65, recently lost employer-provided health coverage, or will soon retire, you will want to start the enrollment process for Medicare coverage sooner than later.
But during this public health crisis when Social Security offices are closed due to coronavirus, how do you enroll in Medicare?
Though you can call Social Security at (800) 772-1213, wait times are longer than ever. Much like those filing for unemployment or applying for Payment Protection Plan loans, people calling Social Security are struggling to get through.
But have no fear: you can also enroll in Medicare online using a my Social Security account. For those who already have an account, enrollment is simple and should only take 10 minutes. Plus, there are no forms to sign, and in most cases, no documentation required.
For those who need to set up an account first, Social Security will need to verify your identity. If the information you submit does not match their records, you may get locked out of the system and need to call the Social Security helpdesk. To prevent this issue, make sure to notify Social Security in advance of any changes to your personal information. Those who have security freezes or fraud alerts on their credit reports will also need to resolve these issues before they can set up an online account.
Also, please note that online enrollment is limited. Only those who are within three months of turning age 65 or older and who are not currently enrolled in Medicare or receiving other Social Security benefits qualify.
If you have any questions about online enrollment during the coronavirus pandemic or any other way we can assist you, please reach out to us – we would love to serve you! You can call us at 919-460-6073 or email us at [email protected].
